Dog Bites

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Dog Bites2022-08-18T06:12:02+00:00

Dog Bites Lawyer in Wheeling, West Virginia

Dogs can lash out and bite or attack people at any time. These animals have been known to attack with little or no provocation. Some dog bites leave merely a slight scratch on the victim. A bite can result in significant injury when a dog desires to cause harm. If the dog has a medical problem, the bite might result in significant infections or other consequences.

If another person’s dog bit you, you are entitled to cash compensation for your injuries and losses. Ghaphery Law Offices’ dog bites lawyer has fought relentlessly for years to get financial compensation on behalf of accident or injury victims around Wheeling, West Virginia.

We represent clients with a legal staff with years of expertise in the field. Our dog bite lawyer understands what it takes to get the most money for our clients. We have a long history of achieving positive outcomes for our clients, and our law offices and attorneys have received recognition for their work.

We are prepared to provide you with the personal attention and legal assistance you and your case deserve. Ghaphery Law Offices can help you right now. After a dog bite has harmed you, we will give you a free first case examination with an animal attack attorney, and you will learn more about your legal options.

The West Virginia Dog Bite Laws

Depending on the facts of the case, West Virginia’s dog bite laws impose full or limited strict culpability. If you are bitten by a dog that is not on a leash or on private property and is not on a leash, the dog’s owner may be held strictly accountable for your injuries. That implies you don’t have to show that the owner was negligent in a way that caused your damage.

Under the “one bite” rule, the owner is subject to limited strict responsibility if a dog bites you on a leash. According to this rule, an owner of a leashed dog can be held severely accountable for dog bite injuries if the owner knew or had cause to learn of the dog’s viciousness or capacity to attack or bite.

Prior incidences of assaults or bites by the same dog usually indicate this knowledge. A person bitten by a leashed dog must establish that the owner behaved carelessly and that this carelessness caused the bite if the dog had no past occurrences of violent behavior.

What to Do When Attacked by a Dog?

dog bites lawyerA dog attack is a distressing and unpleasant event. Knowing what to do immediately after an accident can make all the difference.

  • Check to see whether you’re at risk of being assaulted again. 
  • Identify the Dog That Bit You 
  • Take Pictures if You Can to document apparent injuries as soon as possible
  • Get Immediate Medical Help
  • Collect Contact Information – primarily the dog’s owner’s name, address, phone number, the person in charge of the animal at the time of the incident, and anybody who observed the crime
  • Contact the Police

Reach Out to Ghaphery Law Offices

While the police will investigate the dog assault, they will not be on your side. Yes, we are. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our skilled dog bites lawyer as soon as possible to defend your legal rights and begin the process of obtaining the compensation you require.

Who is Responsible for My Dog Bite Injury?

After a dog attack, the owner of the dog and that person’s insurance company are usually liable for paying harmed victims. Damages are generally covered by the animal owner’s house insurance policy. We know that some people have been injured by dogs belonging to friends or neighbors.

Victims may be hesitant to launch a dog bite claim under such circumstances. However, victims should know that most settlements are reached between attorneys and insurance companies. Our skilled dog bites lawyer handles dog bite cases with caution to prevent straining friendships and relationships.

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?

According to West Virginia’s statute of limitations, if you want to sue for compensation for injuries and losses caused by a dog bite, you must do so within two years of your injury. For a minor kid harmed by a dog bite, the two-year term does not commence until the child reaches the age of eighteen.

Some people wonder why there is legislation to protect people from animals. The law was enacted to hold animal owners responsible for their animals’ actions and urge owners to keep their animals under control. Our experienced dog bites lawyer will pursue reimbursement via homeowner’s or renter’s insurance in many circumstances.

Many people believe that animals must bite them to be held responsible; however, this is not the case. Dog attacks hurt many individuals because they are pushed down or scratched, while cat scratches may be highly damaging and even fatal.

If you do not submit your case within the time limit, the court may dismiss it permanently. You lose your right to seek financial compensation in court if this happens.

What Are the Types of Compensation for Your Dog Attack?

Dog bites can be fatal, mainly on the face or neck. Some of the types of compensation our dog bites lawyer may recover in a dog bite case include:

Medical Bills

After a dog bite, emergency medical care is frequently required, and ER trips can be pretty costly. The cost of medical expenses can be quite substantial if the bite becomes infected and needs extensive care or surgery.

Lost Wages

You can seek compensation for lost wages if you cannot work for some time due to your injuries. This is true even if you have paid sick time or any other compensation for your time off.

Pain and Suffering

Depending on the position and depth of the bite, even a little dog can cause substantial agony.

Emotional Distress

Being attacked by a dog is a horrible event for anybody, especially children. Damages may be sought to cover the costs of long-term therapy and other expenditures incurred due to the trauma.

Future Medical Expenses

Dog bites frequently result in substantial scarring and other skin damage. A favorable settlement or verdict may include skin grafts and other reconstructive operations to reduce scarring.

Instead of accepting a low-ball offer from an insurance provider, it’s crucial to grasp the long-term impact of a dog bite. We advise you to finish your medical treatment before considering any offers.

As a result, we strongly advise you to contact Ghaphery Law Offices as soon as possible following the attack. Many dog bite victims have benefited from our experienced dog bites lawyer’s assistance in calculating the total cost of their injuries and fighting for the compensation they require to cover the full cost.

How Do Insurance Companies Look at Dog Bites?

Dog bites are usually covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. If the owner has a dog prone to attacks, they will certainly have a separate policy or rider that covers dog attacks.

Following a dog bite, the homeowner’s insurance provider may give you a speedy “low-ball” payout. We strongly advise you to reject this settlement. Dog bites can have long-term consequences, and the total cost of an attack may far surpass the amount offered by your insurance provider. You cannot claim further damages once you have accepted a settlement.

Instead, get medical help immediately and wait until you’ve fully recovered before settling with the insurance company. Furthermore, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so that we can handle the insurance on your behalf. Our knowledgeable dog bites lawyer can assist you in determining the total cost of the dog attack and obtaining all of the compensation you require.

How Our West Virginia Dog Bites Lawyer Can Help?

Allow Ghaphery Law Offices’ West Virginia dog bites lawyer to assist you in obtaining the financial compensation you require for your injuries and losses after a dog has bitten you. Our skilled dog bites lawyer can help you in the following ways:

  • Gathering all relevant evidence for your case, such as injury images, medical records, witness interviews, and proof of previous dog bites or assaults.
  • Identifying the dog’s owner and assessing the available insurance coverage.
  • Filing insurance claims on your behalf and actively seeking a negotiated settlement gives you fair and complete reimbursement.
  • Preparing your claim for filing in court or, if required, going to trial.

Our Law Firm Can Help Your Family

Our law firm’s dog bites lawyer can thoroughly examine your case to see if you have any recovery prospects. We can pursue complete and reasonable restitution for the damages you or a loved one have endured, including past and future medical expenditures, scars and disfigurement, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, etc.

If a dog bite has wounded you or a loved one, contact Ghaphery Law Offices to learn more about your legal options. We can help you obtain the finances you require for your rehabilitation by pursuing maximum compensation in your case.